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FALLON CLEARED HIS throat nervously as Cyn approached, with Felicity trailing a few feet behind. He took a deep breath, trying to memorize every inch of her curvy loveliness. She was clad in the corset-style top that she’d worn on the day they first met, and Fallon was having trouble looking at both her generous cleavage and her even lovelier face.
“Good morning,” Felicity said from behind Cyn.
Irritation briefly crossed Cyn’s face, but she didn’t say anything.
“Good morning,” Fallon said stiffly.
His stallion whinnied disapproval. Fallon had been waiting outside of the castle for Felicity and Cyn for quite some time. The anxiety of wondering whether or not she’d actually go through with leaving was killing him. She is our mate, he thought softly.
“Hi,” Cyn said, looking up at him shyly. “Thank you for seeing us off.”
“Of course,” Fallon softened his voice, and pulled her into a deep hug.
He inhaled her scent, a spicy, floral blend exuding from her skin. Cyn leaned into his hug, practically clinging to him. Letting her go was harder than he’d imagined.
Her voice was shaking. “Fallon...”
“I want to remind you of something,” he said quietly, nuzzling her ear.
Felicity was standing behind her, looking uncomfortable.
Cyn withdrew from his embrace. “What is it?”
“Do you have the portal with you?” Fallon asked in a low voice. Confusion marked her face for a moment, and then she nodded and touched a small leather bag fastened around her waist.
“It’s in here. D’you think I should use it often?” she asked.
Fallon winced. “Whenever you like.” He sounded gruffer than he’d intended. His stallion lowered his head, desperate to keep her, but his pride kept him from begging like a lovesick lad.
“Thank you,” Cyn said, grasping one of Fallon’s hands and squeezing. “Thank you for all of your generosity, and hospitality, and everything. I never expected...”
She gulped. Whatever else she wanted to say, he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it, so he cut her off before she could say anything that might make him forget his promise to be a gentleman and then carry her back to bed and fuck her senseless a few more times. His stallion shook his head—she deserved a few more spankings, in his opinion. “But it’s time to go back home, right?”
Fallon squeezed her hand before dropping it. He smiled sadly, and bowed his head briefly in greeting to Felicity. Then he turned away, unable to see her go. Fallon walked toward the castle without looking back.
* * *
CYN SWALLOWED A HUGE lump in her throat as Fallon’s graceful figure strode back to his castle. Tears pricked her eyes, and she tilted her head skyward so Felicity wouldn’t notice.
“All right?” Felicity said, giving Cyn her space.
“Fine,” she replied, walking toward the veil. “Let’s go.”
“How are you feeling?” Felicity asked cautiously.
“Fine,” she repeated, quickening her pace. Truthfully, she was far from fine, and Felicity knew it, but she couldn’t talk about it or she’d completely fall apart.
Felicity caught up with her. “There’s something I need to tell you before you go.”
“What?” Cyn asked without meeting her gaze.
This was tearing her apart. Unfamiliar emotions she wasn’t able to label hammered inside her mind, making her head pound. Going home was what she’d wanted to do, what she needed to do. She couldn’t wait to return to London, have sushi with Felicity, and throw herself into work. Absorb herself in a familiar world with buildings, cars, and streets instead of castles on a sloping green. And yet her heart had never been heavier than it was now.
Felicity winced. “Cyn, I won’t be able to come home with you.”
“Why not?” Cyn asked, her voice squeaking.
“I’m pregnant,” Felicity said in a low tone.
Cyn stopped dead in her tracks. Bloody hell. Everything really is such a mess.
She placed a hand on Felicity’s shoulder and pulled her friend close. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so bloody cold this morning. This is hard for me, and you seemed so angry. I didn’t know why, and now... I know what you’re going through. I bloody love you.”
“I know. I love you too. This is a hard day for everyone,” Felicity said, resting her hands on her belly. “Niall and I went to see the healer after the bonfire, and that’s when I found out. I haven’t even missed my monthlies yet. I never imagined I’d be able to have a baby, but the healer knew. And I can’t leave the Realm, because I need to stay and have the healer watch over me.”
Cyn’s heart sank. “I understand. Promise me we’ll still have a good gossip through the portal? I’ll miss you so much.”
They were almost at the veil. Cyn kicked the ground with her toe, and clods of dirt came loose. Leaving was the hardest decision she’d ever made, and she didn’t even know whether it was the right one.
“Of course,” Felicity said, squeezing Cyn into a hug. “Can you do me a favour?”
Cyn released her and straightened up.
“Sure,” she said halfheartedly. “What is it?”
“I need you to meet up with Nathan. Tell him that I quit.”
Cyn widened her eyes. “Wow, okay. I’ll do that. But do you want me to tell him it’s temporary?”
Felicity hesitated before shaking her head. “No. My life is here now.”
Cyn choked back tears. “Okay. I have to go.”
Felicity nodded. “I know.”
For some reason Felicity’s words left her with a hollow feeling that widened with each step she took as she crossed the veil.
